Tuesday, March 4, 2014

The Trial and Conviction of Patricia MacCallum - Home Page


Welcome!! And thanks for visiting my blog. This is the home page and the table of contents for the trial of Patricia MacCallum who, on December 16, 2013, was convicted of killing her husband, Michael Christopher MacCallum, my son. I hope you find what I have written here to be of interest.


Update March 6, 2019 - Appeals Court Affirms Conviction

On July 13, 2018, the Court of Appeals of California, Third District, Siskiyou filed the result of Patricia's appeal. The court upheld Patricia's conviction for the murder of her husband, Michael Christopher MacCallum.

Update January 29, 2015:

On January 20, 2015, Patricia Leigh-Ann MacCallum was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison. Please click on the sentencing link near the bottom of this page for full details.

The following week, on January 27, 2015, she was transferred to the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) outside Chowchilla, near Fresno, CA. She is inmate WF1297.

The last time I worked on this blog was Summer 2014. In this final update, I have made changes to:
  • This page
  • The list of news reports to include the sentencing (sidebar to the right and link, below)
  • The timeline to include the sentencing (sidebar to the right and link, below)
  • Pre-sentencing motions and hearings page (below) adding detail about all the activities since August 19, 2014
  • Added a page about the sentencing and the statements that were presented at the hearing, see the bottom of the page
  • I added a Sincere Thanks section to the sidebar to the right
  • I added two more paragraphs to the bottom of the personal observations page, below

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, corrections, plaudits, etc., please let me know: mmaccallum@verizon.net.

Robert Scott has written an e-book about Chris' murder and posted it to Amazon. Check it out at: Fatal Family Affair.

The Investigation Discovery channel presented Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall - Murder in the Applegate, a show about Chris' murder. The first airing was on June 8, 2014, with periodic repeats since then. In my opinion, the show is very well done and does an excellent job in telling Chris' story. At the beginning of the show, they say that Chris was half Vietnamese. Actually, he was half Hispanic. You can watch Murder in the Applegate online:


The Trial of Patricia MacCallum - Table of Contents

Arrival in Yreka - Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Jury selection - Thursday, November 14, 2013

Pretrial motions - Friday, November 15, 2013

Day 1 - November 18, 2013
  • Jury instructions from Judge Dixon
  • Opening statement by Mr. Allison for the People
  • Opening statement by Mr. Duncan for the defense
  • Testimony of Deputy James Biddle, Jackson County Sheriff
    • Handled missing person report filed by Patricia

Day 2 - November 19, 2013
  • Testimony of Deputy Biddle, continued
  • Testimony of Sergeant Shawn Richards, Search and Rescue Supervisor, Jackson County Sheriff
  • Testimony of Deputy Eric Johnson, Search and Rescue, Jackson County Sheriff
    • Discovery of Chris' body at the campsite
  • Testimony of Deputy Jason Denton, Jackson County Sheriff
  • Testimony of Detective Jess Elzy, Oregon State Police
    • Interview of Amber Lubbers on 11/20/12
    • Visit to Ruch Country Store on 11/21/12
    • Interview of John Singley on 11/21/12

Day 3 - November 20, 2013
  • Testimony of Detective Geoffrey Kirkpatrick, Medford Police Department
    • Interview of Patricia on 11/20/12
  • Testimony of Travis Lee, Crime Scene Office, Oregon State Police
    • Obtained picture and receipt from Food 4 Less
    • Went to Checker Cab and the FTD call center
  • Testimony of Shawn Center, Assistant Manager and Cashier, Ruch Country Store
  • Testimony of Detective Bryan Scott, Oregon State Police
    • Interview of Patricia on 11/20/12
  • Testimony of Bonnie Mortensen, Forensic Technician, Siskiyou County Sheriff

Testimony of Bonnie Mortensen
  • Ms. Mortensen testified to the physical evidence discovered
    • At the campsite where Chris' body was found
    • During a search of Patricia's house
    • From the autopsy
    • From St. Vincent de Paul
  • Testimony of Ms. Mortensen, continued
  • Testimony of Dr. James Olson, Medical Examiner, Southern Oregon
    • Autopsy report

Day 5 - November 22, 2013
  • Testimony of Ms. Mortensen, continued
  • Testimony of Detective Sergeant Colin Fagan, Digital Evidence Forensic Examiner, Jackson County Sheriff
    • Chris' and Patricia's cell phone records
  • Testimony of Sergeant Michael Gilley, Commander of Special Operations, Siskiyou County Sheriff
    • Attempt to recover Patricia's handgun
  • Testimony of Thomas Vasquez, Criminalist, California Department of Justice Laboratory
    • Examination of bullets found during the autopsy, at the campsite, and during the search of Patricia's house
  • Testimony of Mr. Vasquez, continued
  • Testimony of Richard Marcello, Cab Driver, G2G Taxi, Medford
    • Chris' plans to work on 11/17/12, his birthday
  • Testimony of Detective Jacques Morlet, Major Crimes Division, Siskiyou County Sheriff
    • Interview of Patricia and search of her house on 11/23/12
    • X-ray of Chris' body at the Rogue Valley Medical Center prior to autopsy
    • Conversation with Patricia on the way to pick up her car about her route through Jacksonville to get to the campsite
  • Testimony of Brett Liddicote, Northern California Computer Crime Task Force
    • Report of Patricia's computer, including internet browsing history
  • Testimony of Corporal Jeremiah LaRue, Siskiyou County Sheriff
    • Led the team that recovered the tent with Chris' body in it
  • Jury observation of the tent
  • Testimony of Jeremiah Hills, Patricia's former boyfriend
    • Patricia told Jeremiah that she wanted Chris dead
  • Testimony of Brian Inman, Technician, Siskiyou County Sheriff
    • Video of the campsite where Chris was killed
  • Testimony of Amber Lubbers, Patricia's ex-stepsister
    • Described how she and Patricia planned Chris' murder
    • Described how Patricia killed Chris at the campsite
  • Testimony of Ms. Lubbers, continued
    • Described her plea bargain and confession
    • Video tape of her confession just after being arrested
  • Testimony of Angela Setsodi, Chris' friend
  • Testimony of Samantha Adams, Chris' fiancee
  • Testimony of Brian Inman, Technician, Siskiyou County Sheriff
    • Transcript of text message conversations between Chris and Patricia from the time they reconciled on 9/7/12 until his death on 11/16/12
  • Testimony of Supervising Investigator Marc Perrin, Siskiyou County District Attorney
    • Amber Lubbers' arrest, plea bargain, confession, and interview
    • Screen shots from social media websites on which Patricia was active from the time they reconciled on 9/7/12 until his death on 11/16/12 
    • Email records from Patricia's computer
  • Testimony of Detective Sergeant James Randall, Siskiyou County Sheriff, lead investigator in the death of Chris MacCallum
    • Collection of evidence at the campsite on 11/20/12
    • Interview of Patricia on 11/20/12
    • Search of Patricia's home on 11/23/12
    • Participation in the autopsy
    • Report of ATM surveillance camera video in Jacksonville
  • Testimony of Misty James, Driver/Dispatcher, Check Cab Company, Medford
    • Chris' plans to work on 11/17/12, his birthday
  • Testimony of Garrett Weschler, Owner, Check Cab Company, Medford
    • Chris' plans to work on 11/17/12, his birthday
  • Testimony of Detective Jeff Moser, Siskiyou County Sheriff, chief investigator in the death of Chris MacCallum
    • Arrest, plea bargain, confession, and interview of Amber Lubbers
    • Video of the plea bargain and confession
    • Search of Patricia's house on 11/23/12
    • Drive through Jacksonville to get to the campsite
  • Testimony of Detective Moser, continued
  • Testimony of Ben Jump, friend of Kris Lubbers
    • Alibi for Kris Lubbers
  • Testimony of Erich Norum, friend of Kris Lubbers
    • Alibi for Kris Lubbers
  • No further witnesses, the prosecution rests
  • The defense rests
  • Jury instructions from Judge Dixon
  • Closing statement by Mr. Allison
  • Correction to the jury verdict form
  • Mr. Allison reopens closing statement to address those corrections
  • Closing statement by Mr. Duncan
  • Final statement by Mr. Allison

The Verdict - December 16, 2013

Pre-sentencing motions and change of attorney
  • Original sentencing date postponed
  • Motion for a new trial--deadline missed
  • Mr. Duncan relieved, Ted A. Bastian, Jr., appointed as Patricia's new attorney
  • Attorneys to meet with Judge Dixon on April 29 to discuss a new sentencing date
  • Another hearing has been set for May 22 to discuss the sentencing date
  • On May 22 Judge Dixon set July 22 for the next hearing to discuss the sentencing date

The sentencing
  • The sentencing hearing
  • Personal impact statements

Pictures from the trial - courtesy of  KTVL CBS 10 News, Medford

Jury instructions used in the trial

List of evidence presented at the trial

List of images used in this blog

List of witnesses who testified at the trial

Locations mentioned in the trial

News reports about the murder, trial, and sentencing

Personal observations from the trial

Timeline of the murder, trial, and sentencing


End of homepage
Last update: 3/6/19

23 comments:

  1. I am terribly sorry for your loss. I can see the pride and joy you have in your son. I am praying that peace will find the hearts and minds of you and your family...

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  2. I really enjoyed my visit to your blog- very informative and detailed. I am truly sorry for your loss. I hope this blog is helping you through this tragedy. God bless ya!

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    1. I cried so bad I just saw the story on ID, I think Patricia got off to easy she should of go death because of what she did, I pray for his family and friends who loved him.I just cant believe someone could be so evil to do something like that.She should of just left him, so he could move on with his life.

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  3. I just saw this on I'd.I'm sorry for you and your family.she is a awful woman!

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  4. Just finished the DEADLINE CRIME episode about Michael's murder. I'm still wiping tears from my eyes. Any condolences I leave here would probably seem trite in light of your tremendous loss but, it does sound like Michael was a beacon of light during his time with you and others who were lucky enough to have him in their lives. I admire your dedication and fortitude and thank you deeply for compiling this blog. I'm sure it was a profoundly emotional process for you but know, through your words, Michael has touched the life of a total stranger.

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  5. Great detailed site, I'm an Oregonian and wanted an update about this crime. Thanks for your strength, very glad the case was solved relatively quickly and justice dispensed.

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  6. 2nd time ive seen this story. (On I.d.) Absolutely heartbreaking. Wonder how daughter is

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  7. Toda mi solidaridad. Espero que algo asi no vuelva a ocurrir.

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  8. Eu vi este caso, foi muito triste.
    Meus sinceros sentimentos pela perda de seu amado filho.

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  9. Defence had a good case.Stepsister threw her under a bus.Bullshit decision.

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    1. Yes, the stepsister threw her under the bus by telling the truth about what happened. A jury of 12 men and women decided the stepsister was not lying. The defense did not put on a case at all. All the defense did was argue against the evidence, which was in the end overwhelming.

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    2. A bs decision her sister told on her?

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    3. Defense had no case whatsoever. Who could the kinky wife have blamed a grizzly bear? That bitch should have gotten the death penalty. The sister in law got off way too easy and should have gotten at least 10 years hard time.

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  10. Just saw this 1 hour story on True Crime Files. Blood Relatives: Ep. 53. Living in Portland, this hits close to home. I’m so sorry for your loss. Your son seemed like an amazing young man.

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  11. I fully believe your thoughts that this was premeditated and unnecessarily vicious. I'm truly sorry for your unnecessary loss of your son. Please know that KARMA will always prevail. I am sending you positive and healing energy.
    Sincerely,
    Too close for comfort

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for you comment of your positive, healing energy. It is much appreciated.

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  12. Hello there don’t know if my comment went through before I am creating a podcast about Chris and his story. I will post it on here when it is ready. I will surely source you. Great journalism on your part reflecting on the trial others did not have a chance to see.

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  13. Chris’s story touched me and so did his smile. He has the type of face as “everybody’s friend” I will say Amber getting off within months is unjust yet the work of both Jackson county and Siskiyou county was very notable. They worked fast and did not leave Chris’s side once finding him, something his “wife” had no problem doing. Her giving step by step directions to his body sealed her fate. Truly devilish woman who should have got a life sentence.

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  14. Tricia is innocent Chris lubbers killed Chris McCallum Medford police manufactured evidence first how can a witness that did not see the murder do video reenactment of a something she didn't see the only thing she said the same every time she said something is she was crouched down on the other side of the car facing the opposite direction when shots were fired .maybe if Medford police would of looked I Chris lubbers phone or included all the facts like the two witnesses that seen and talked to Chris lubbers at three in the morning they would of convicted the right person and the gun Chris threw in the lake not to mention criss admitted to disposing of evidence you all where so blind its disgusting display of injustice says John Singley .

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    1. The purpose of this blog is to provide a clear and comprehensive report of the trial of Patricia MacCallum. I was in the audience throughout the entire trial and listened to all of the testimony that was presented. Patricia's lawyers fought hard for her at the trial, during sentencing, and for her appeal. Ultimately, the case was given to twelve jurors who reached their verdict unanimously.

      This blog is not the venue to argue Patricia's guilt or innocence, that was done during the trial. If you or John Singley (who is Patricia's father, for those who don't know the name) have evidence to show that someone else is guilty of my son's murder, please bring that evidence forward to the proper authorities so that justice can be done. Presenting it here or to me does no good whatsoever.

      On a personal note, I get no pleasure knowing that Patricia is in prison. For the sake of her and her children, gather your evidence and get it into the hands of the people who can overturn Patricia's conviction. If she is indeed innocent, I will celebrate her innocence along with you, John Singley, and the rest of her friends and family.

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    2. If you read this blog thoroughly, you will find that at the end of the trial, Chris Lubbers was considered as a suspect. However, two witnesses testified that Chris Lubbers was at home at the time of my son's murder.

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